Never Look Back by Lilliam Rivera Buy the Book • Goodreads
Featuring contemporary Afro-Latinx characters, acclaimed author Lilliam Rivera blends a touch of magical realism into a timely story about cultural identity, overcoming trauma, and the power of first love.
Eury comes to the Bronx as a girl haunted. Haunted by losing everything in Hurricane Maria--and by an evil spirit, Ato. She fully expects the tragedy that befell her and her family in Puerto Rico to catch up with her in New York. Yet, for a time, she can almost set this fear aside, because there's this boy . . .
Pheus is a golden-voiced, bachata-singing charmer, ready to spend the summer on the beach with his friends, serenading his on-again, off-again flame. That changes when he meets Eury. All he wants is to put a smile on her face and fight off her demons. But some dangers are too powerful for even the strongest love, and as the world threatens to tear them apart, Eury and Pheus must fight for each other and their lives.
This Own Voices retelling of the Greek myth Orpheus and Eurydice is perfect for fans of Ibi Zoboi's Pride and Daniel José Older's Shadowshaper.
If you love Magical Realism as much as I do, then you do not want to miss this beautiful retelling of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. Lilliam Rivera breathes new life into Pheus and Eury in unique and magical ways. This book touches on so many important topics in our world today and keeps true to the beauty of the Latino culture. I have loved everything by Lilliam Rivera and this book is my favorite so far. I love retellings and I love that this story is weaved with culture, and magic. Lilliam really put so much heart and soul into this one. It is truly enchanting.
